Can You Use Synthetic Oil in a Champion Generator? 

While they only started creating generators in 2003, Champion generators quickly soared to the top of the market. Their relatively low prices combined with their revolutionary dual-fuel technology have greatly aided their popularity. One of the most commonly asked questions about Champion generators is whether or not you can use synthetic oil in them. 

Once your Champion generator is broken in, it’s ok to use synthetic oil to operate it. The break-in period for a Champion generator is five hours, which means that once those five hours are up, synthetic oil is perfectly acceptable. Full synthetic 5W30 is ideal for operating your Champion generator. 

In this article, we’ll look at all the ins and outs of using synthetic oil in a Champion generator. Using the correct oil during the breaking-in period and thereafter is crucial to your generator’s smooth operation. 

Can you put synthetic oil in a Champion generator?

After the five-hour breaking-in period for your Champion generator, synthetic oil is perfectly acceptable for its everyday operation. Synthetic oil is often preferable in Champion generators because of its ability to handle temperature changes extremely well. 

Synthetic oil is also ideal for cold-starting a generator that hasn’t operated in a while. Cold-starting a generator is difficult to work under even ideal circumstances, and synthetic engine oil makes it much easier. Contrary to what some may believe, you also won’t have to change your oil more often if you use synthetic oil as opposed to conventional oil. 

Our Favorite Champion Generators

If you are looking for a Champion generator and want something that can run everything in your RV, here is our favorite model, this will be able to run your a/c, microwave, basically anything you throw at it.

If you are looking for something a little more lightweight and only need to run some items in your trailer, here is our favorite lightweight model. This is also dual fuel so it can run on gas or propane.

What is Synthetic oil? 

Synthetic oil is a regular crude oil that has been highly refined and contains certain additives that regular oil doesn’t have. The breaking down of crude oil and reconstructing it with synthetic additives and hydrocarbon atoms makes it extremely reliable and stable. 

Because synthetic oil is produced in a laboratory under controlled conditions, it’s easier to get it exactly as it should be. Synthetic oil is superior to other types of oil in how stable it is, especially under extreme temperatures. Whether these temperatures are extremely high or low, synthetic oil holds up better than regular oil. 

Synthetic oil is also better at dealing with dirt and debris in your generator’s engine than conventional oil. These advantages, combined with the fact that synthetic oil produces better overall performance in small engines make it the oil of choice in generators and similar appliances. 

Most generators tend to sit around a lot and only be used in certain seasons of the year, synthetic is perfect as it has a longer life than conventional oil.

Can you use synthetic oil in a generator?

Synthetic oil is actually ideal for generators as opposed to natural or mixed oils. However, you should always check the owner’s manual of your specific generator to know which type of oil is best. While synthetic oil is ok in most generators, it’s important to know what type of synthetic oil is best. You also want to make sure that you’re adding the right oil at the right time. 

We use synthetic oil in our generator and it has been running great ever since it was new.

Can I use synthetic 10W30 in my generator?

10W30 is one of the best types of synthetic oil to use in your generator for everyday use. The only time that 10W30 oil might not wirk well with your generator is in extreme conditions when outdoor temperatures have dropped below freezing. Here’s why. 

Oil, whether synthetic or conventional is rated according to its thickness. 10W30 oil, for example, is slightly thicker than 5W30. The thinner an oil is, the more liquid it will stay when it gets cold outside, which is why thinner oils work better in cold temperatures than thick ones. 

So, for warmer temperatures and climates, 10W30 oil is ideal. Using this type of oil in colder climates doesn’t mean that your generator isn’t going to work, it just means that it might have trouble starting up. It’s also more prone to stalling out if the oil is too thick and can’t get to the engine as it needs to. 

Can I use synthetic oil to break in a generator?

Synthetic oil isn’t just good for regular use of your generator, it’s also ok for breaking it in. Breaking in a generator refers to the initial startup when it’s coming to you fresh from the factory. Here’s how you use synthetic oil to break in a generator. 

1. Check your owners manual to see if there’s a specific oil you should be using with your generator. This goes for breaking it in as well as for everyday use. 
2. It’s important to note that most generators don’t ship with oil installed on them. It’s up to you to do your research and choose the correct oil for your specific model. Most Champion generators 10W30 or 5W30 synthetic or non-synthetic oils to operate. 
3. The break-in period of a generator refers to the first five hours of run time. Whatever type of oil your generator recommends for everyday use can also be used to break it in. 
4. After breaking in your generator, make sure that you change the oil out for a fresh refill. The purpose of breaking in the engine is to remove any loose metal or debris that may be roaming around inside your generator. 

It’s not unusual for generators straight from the factory to have some loose debris floating about the engine, which is why it’s important to change out the oil after the break in period. Breaking your generator in is also necessary to lubricate all the moving parts. 

5. Apply the approved amount of oil and the correct type of oil as specified by your owners manual. It’s usually 10W30 or 5W30 depending on the temperatures your generator will be operating in. 

Managing the Oil in Your Champion Generator 

Properly managing and maintaining your Champion generator is just as important as choosing the right one initially. Regularly checking and changing the oil is an important part of this maintenance. You should change the oil every 100 to 150 hours of operation to ensure that it’s clean and fresh. 

Running a generator on old oil can result in a variety of problems, most of which end with a damaged generator. 

What Type of Oil is Best for a Generator? 

The type of oil that’s best for your generator depends on your specific brand, model, and size. However, for most Champion generators and small engine generators, 5W30 or 10W30 is the best type of oil. 

Is Synthetic Oil Better for a Generator Than Conventional Oil?

People often debate about whether synthetic oil or conventional oil is better for your generator. While they both have pros and cons, synthetic oil typically holds more advantages than conventional oil. Here are some of the advantages of using synthetic engine oil in your Champion generator. 

• The chemicals and additives in conventional oil aren’t as measured or calculated as those in synthetic oil. Synthetic oil is meticulously mixed and created for optimal performance and stability. 
• Natural and conventional oils are also more likely to turn acidic in your engine than synthetic oil is. 
• Synthetic oil is much more stable than conventional oil, which means that it will last just as long or longer. 
• Synthetic oils will help your engine run longer and smoother than conventional oil. 
• Synthetic oils also perform better at extremely high or extremely low temperatures thanks to its chemical makeup. 

No matter what you’re looking to do with your Champion generator, synthetic oil is acceptable and preferable. You can use synthetic oil for the original breaking-in process, as well as for ongoing use.